resentful about something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resentful about something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing feelings of bitterness or anger towards a specific situation or person. Example: "She felt resentful about the unfair treatment she received at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

How many times have we been silently resentful about something but said nothing and then acted irritable to someone else? Usually someone we are comfortable with, like family, because we know they'll love us anyway.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Think about something unique.

WikiHow

In some versions of this story, there's an argument here, because Jeremy feels like his father is being nosy, and because he feels ashamed of being twenty-two years old and not having made anything of himself yet; he's resentful when something reminds him about it.

Vice

Given what he's missed, it would be understandable if Sissay were resentful and scathing about how thoughtlessly the rest of us sometimes complain about something so vital and yet unknown to him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But he had discovered that his staff needed time off from work, and became distressed and resentful when this time off was denied them, and that when he sent them an e-mail about something on his mind they felt obliged to respond quickly, and this was interfering with their ability to get properly rested before the new week began.

The New Yorker

Be unique about something.

The New York Times

Talk about something fun.

WikiHow

Tease him about something.

WikiHow

"It is stunning he would do this there," said Mark Farmaner, director of the Burma Campaign UK. "There is a sensitivity about British colonialism and it is something that people in Burma are still resentful about.

The Guardian

At first you think you know where he's going: something about how (rich) white people feeling resentful about paying taxes for the benefit of (poor) nonwhite people threatens to create the sort of racially tinged conflicts that we must all be concerned about, etc.

The New Yorker

"If you'd only stop all this silly drawing," said the Latin teacher, "you might one day amount to something". She did stop – "for a long time" – and is still resentful about that teacher's attitude.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the emotion you want to convey. Alternatives like "annoyed" or "irritated" might be more appropriate for milder feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "resentful about something" when you simply mean disappointed or sad. "Resentful" implies a stronger feeling of bitterness and ill-will, often directed at a specific person or situation perceived as unfair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resentful about something" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject by expressing a feeling of bitterness, indignation, or ill-will related to a specific cause or situation. As shown by Ludwig, this typically indicates an emotional state resulting from a perceived injustice or disappointment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resentful about something" effectively communicates feelings of bitterness, anger, or indignation towards a specific situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey, opting for milder alternatives like "annoyed" when appropriate. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, where it's used to describe people's reactions to events, as well as in wikis and online articles, where it is used in a more general context. Remember to avoid using "resentful" when you simply mean disappointed, reserving it for situations where you feel a genuine sense of injustice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitter about something

Emphasizes a feeling of deep disappointment and anger.

resentful of something

Focuses on the feeling of envy or ill-will towards someone who possesses something.

aggrieved by something

Suggests a feeling of having been wronged or unfairly treated.

bitter towards something

Implies a strong feeling of animosity.

displeased with something

Indicates a state of dissatisfaction or disapproval.

discontented with something

Suggests a lack of satisfaction with a particular situation.

annoyed about something

Implies a mild irritation or frustration.

indignant about something

Highlights a sense of righteous anger or outrage.

irritated by something

Implies a state of being easily provoked or bothered.

aggravated by something

Focuses on the feeling of being made worse or more intense.

FAQs

How can I use "resentful about something" in a sentence?

You can use "resentful about something" to express displeasure towards a particular situation. For instance, "She felt "resentful about something" after being passed over for the promotion." Use an alternative like "disappointed by something" if your feelings aren't so strong.

What's a more formal alternative to "resentful about something"?

A more formal alternative could be "aggrieved by something" or "displeased with something". These options convey a sense of having been wronged or being unsatisfied, which is similar to being "resentful about something".

Is there a difference between "resentful of something" and "resentful about something"?

"Resentful of something" typically refers to feeling envy or bitterness towards someone who possesses something you desire. "Resentful about something" generally relates to feeling anger or indignation towards a situation or event you perceive as unfair. "She was "resentful of his success"" versus "She was "resentful about the decision"."

What are common reasons for someone to feel "resentful about something"?

Common causes of feeling "resentful about something" include perceived unfair treatment, being overlooked for recognition, experiencing a loss, or being denied opportunities. These situations can lead to feelings of bitterness and resentment.